Before you know what your purpose is
You must explore your shadow
And sink your toes into the belly
Of the unknown.

Before you know what your purpose is
You must ignore the voice
That says, you can’t do that,
someone else does it better.

Sometimes you’ll hesitate,

But when you’re ready,
Sensing the magic afoot,
The farsightedness of unwavering
Passion will ooze from you,

Inspiring everyone around you
To assist you. Every animal.
Every dream. Everything you do
Will have profound meaning.

Before you accept what your purpose is,
You must feel it, in your belly,
Even when you’re treading on loose gravel,
Or lightly resting like a cricket on a blade of grass.

2005 Celeste Labadie

Celeste’s poetry appears in the We’Moon Desk Calendar, Desert Shovel Review, and Mountain Gazette.